Jonathan Loaisiga impresses for Yankees with two scoreless, hitless innings

By Kristie Ackert

Feb 24, 2019 | 5:35 PM

PORT CHARLOTTE -- Jonathan Loaisiga is basically auditioning to be a backup. The right-hander comes into camp knowing that with the Yankees signing CC Sabathia and JA Happ, there is no room in the major league starting rotation for him just yet.

But the 24-year-old also knows that every major league team needs more than just five starters to get through the season. The Yankees are particularly vulnerable with Sabathia turning 39 this summer having added a winter angioplasty procedure to an arthritic knee, and even relative youngster James Paxton having a long history of injuries.

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So Loaisiga went out Sunday and showed he can be a reliable spot starter when needed. He threw two scoreless, hitless innings with two strikeouts and a walk in the Yankees 8-5 win over the Rays at Port Charlotte Park.

“It’s no secret that we have an established set of starters for the team, but to me it’s about doing my job and focusing on the camp itself and what we’re trying to do in camp,” Loaisiga said through team translator Marlon Abreu. “Like I mentioned before, I’m working with (pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) trying to be better locating pitches and finishing pitches. Having the ability to put away hitters is important to me. I want to apply what I’m learning in camp and apply it in games and see the results of those adjustments. At the same time, I want to be healthy all year. That’s a big goal for me.”

Loaisiga burst onto the scene last season, going 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts. But after a bout with right shoulder inflammation, he struggled in five appearances out of the pen, posting a 10.80 ERA.

“I thought he was great. Obviously Lo burst on the scene and got his feet wet with us and gave us some good innings last year. He’s going to be important for us this year. He’s going to have an opportunity at some point,” Boone said. “For him to get off to that kind of start, get strike one, when he was ahead in the count, he was able to put guys away. He was real easy with his delivery, I thought it was a very a ho-hum effort by him, but mature and the stuff was there.”

FAMILY FIRST

Sunday, Lee Mazzilli, the former long-time Met and current Yankee special assistant, was in uniform and in the Yankees dugout smiling like a proud father, because he was a proud new dad.

It was the first time that he and his son, L.J., were in the same uniform -- and the younger Mazzilli made it memorable.

L.J. lined a single, turned a double play at second base and impressed Boone. The Yankees’ manager, the son and grandson of major leaguers, knew a little something about how the Mazzillis were feeling.

“It was good. He came up to me early in the day, just told me how excited he was, one of the best days of his life,” Boone said of Lee. “I tried to peak over my shoulder to get his reaction (as L.J. was at bat) a little bit.. not wanting to stare at him.

“For him, it was great he got a hit, but the at-bat was terrific. He got off three good swings and then smoked that ball back through the middle,” Boone said. “Then he was able to turn the double play.

Estevan Florial, the Yankees top center field prospect, impressed Boone with his speed Sunday. The 21-year old stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch in the second inning.

“The pitch he stole on wasn’t a pitch out,but it was almost like a pitch out,” Boone said of Florial swiping second base. “He just kind of out ran it. It is a weapon. He has all the tools you hear about. They are real. For him to get off to a good start. We encouraged him to be aggressive on the bases, especially here early and he has. He’s made a difference.”That comes after a disappointing 2018 for Florial.

He was on the disabled list for two months with a broken wrist, but even when healthy he disappointed. He hit .255 with three homers, 27 RBI and a .715 OPS in 75 games. He struck out 87 times in 284 at-bats.

UP NEXT

And now spring begins for real. With the Yankees returning to Tampa Monday to host the Blue Jays, Aaron Boone is unleashing the big boys. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are scheduled to play Monday. New left-hander James Paxton, acquired from the Mariners this winter, will start.